Mixed results for Glen Cove

The Glen Cove Lady Big Red lacrosse team split games last week, earning a 9-8 win over Malverne/East Rockaway and a 13-2 loss against top ranked New Hyde Park. Glen Cove now sits at an even .500 on the season, vying within the middle of the Nassau V Conference.

The Lady Big Red came into its April 25 game against Malverne/East Rockaway having won three of its last five. After a solid performance, working the ball around and capitalizing on some set plays, Glen Cove walked away with a hard fought 9-8 victory.

“We really had good team chemistry going for us and a good team flow,” Glen Cove head coach Nicole Sileo said. “We played really well and as a unit.”

That win was secured by a great all-around team effort that had contributions from a multitude of talented players. Alyssa Zangari contributed two goals and an assist. Ariana Greenberg was another player who netted a pair. Kiara Demosthene and Yenifer Molina were also goal scorers, with Gabby Schettino adding an assist. However, the Lady Big Red’s leading contributor the season continues to be senior Kat Willson, an attacking midfielder that is proficient at winning draws, and who is strong in transition and extremely quick and crafty with the ball. Willson finished the game with 3 goals and 2 assists, leading the way for her squad en route to their 4th victory of the year.

“She’s extremely important,” said Sileo. “She’s a three year starter. She’s been taking the draws on and off for us since her sophomore year, and all of them this year. She’s definitely a strength in that midfield.”

Glen Cove (4-4 overall) looked to take the momentum of that hard-fought win into a battle with undefeated New Hyde Park on April 27. Within the first few minutes, Glen Cove gained possession and had been working the ball around New Hyde Park’s defensive zone. A costly turnover created a fast break opportunity for New Hyde Park, and the momentum was shifted in their favor for the remainder of the first half.

Although fighting from a significant deficit in the second half, Glen Cove collectively tried to put together solid possessions each time around. At one point midway through the second half, Glen Cove had suckered their opponents into back-to-back penalties, now forcing New Hyde Park to play two players down. One half of the Lady Big Red’s talented attacking midfield, Yenifer Molina, netted Glen Cove’s first goal of the game. Soon thereafter, Kat Willson struck again with an impressive goal fighting through a lot of defensive attention from New Hyde Park.

Despite the loss, Glen Cove had a few very sound offensive possessions where it whipped the ball around the crease with skillful precision. “We’re going to give that one hundred percent effort and hustle every game,” Sileo said. “And working as a whole is very important for us going forward.”

The Big Red hosts Great Neck North this Saturday at 10 a.m.